Asia and Pacific Region Forum

Google Inc has applied for a license to operate its Google Maps product in China, China Business News reported on Tuesday, quoting an unnamed official.

Google needs a license from China's State Bureau of Surveying and Mapping to continue operating Google Maps in China. Recently, requirements for a mapping license were relaxed to allow for foreign online mapping providers, such as Google, to engage in joint ventures to provide the service.

I'm not so sure they're going to be successful with this application. The regulations for mapping companies in China have just recently been shuffled.